Cant update the Type from Floating Point Number to String

[JLeong]

Hi Guys,

I am trying to import handheld devices and the IMEI#, Billing Reference, and Serial Number are showing 10000000000. I tried to change the Type from Floating Point Number to String but there is no option.

How do I correct this?

Thank you in advance!

Regards,

Jocelyn

[Maik Skoddow · Accepted solution]

Hi @JLeong 

please refer to the following KB articles: 

• https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0966730
• https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0712394

Maik

[JLeong]

Thanks Maik! I also found this article:

https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0755902

[Tai Vu]

Hi @JLeong 

You can only change a dictionary entry's data type when the change does not result in data loss. Let's have a look in the below docs to understand restrictions.

Dictionary entry data types

The field Type in Dictionary is a reference field with a Dynamic Filter Options as following. 

new GlideFieldTypeReference(current).getQualifier();

We're not able to find this function and script include.

Generally, you can understand that we can only convert between Types that have the same Extends and the Visible is True in the table Field Classes [sys_glide_object]

As Maik's comments, It is highly recommended to avoid changing the type of a column. Experience has shown that a better approach is to create a new column with the new data type and copy the data from the old column to the new column => KB0966730

Cheers,

Tai Vu

[JLeong]

Thanks Timi!

Since this is the initial import, I deleted the records and was able to change the Type to string, and then re-ran the import.

Thanks again!